Historic Barriers to Anglo-American Nuclear Cooperation

Andrew Brown's chapter, "Historic Barriers to Anglo-American Nuclear Cooperation," has been published in the recent book US-UK Nuclear Cooperation After 50 Years. The book is a joint publication from CSIS and Chatham House London examining the impact of the 1958 Mutual Defense Agreement and its consequences.

Brown writes, referring to the UK's decision to acquire an independent nuclear weapon's program pre-1958:

"In a world of clashing ideologies, an economically strapped UK engaged in nuclear proliferation, not only in response to a perceived threat from the USSR but because she distrusted the USA and wanted to preserve her status as a Great Power. International disagreements over nuclear policy may persist for a decade, even when they are being addressed in moderately good faith by wise statesmen who speak approximately the same language."